Manchester United suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to the ASEAN All-Stars in Malaysia on Wednesday (28 May 2025) night.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, a die-hard Red Devils supporter, took to social media to joke that he hopes his beloved team won’t face relegation to the Championship next season.
The match also sparked controversy when United players Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo were caught making obscene gestures after the game.
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ASEAN All-Stars Stun Premier League Giants
The ASEAN All-Stars defeated the traditional powerhouse at Bukit Jalil Stadium. United finished 15th in the Premier League this season – their worst campaign in decades.
The Red Devils, who lost the Europa League final just last week, faced ridicule for failing to win even the Maybank Challenge Cup. Boos echoed around the stadium after the final whistle.
Prime Minister Anwar witnessed the defeat firsthand. He posted on Thursday morning (29 May) with characteristic humor: “Oh no! Manchester United failed to lift another trophy. Next season will be even more headache-inducing – hopefully they won’t get relegated to the Championship. Congratulations to the ASEAN All-Stars, you guys were absolutely brilliant!”
Malaysian media reported that Anwar addressed the result during a monthly gathering at the Prime Minister’s Office on Thursday morning.
He drew parallels between the successful conclusion of the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday (27 May) and the All-Stars’ upset victory, emphasizing the importance of teamwork.
The Prime Minister noted that while a Myanmar player scored the winning goal, the entire team’s defensive display secured this memorable victory.
Singapore defender Irfan Fandi, the All-Stars’ only Singaporean representative, helped thwart United’s attacks in the second half.
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Players’ Obscene Gestures Draw Criticism
United manager Ruben Amorim responded to the crowd’s jeers after the match: “The fans’ boos, this is what we need… They believe in Manchester United no matter what.”
The Portuguese coach appeared visibly frustrated throughout the encounter, shaking his head at his team’s performance.
However, fans were left disappointed by the conduct of two United players. Garnacho and Amad, both promising talents who had decent seasons, made obscene gestures on separate occasions.
Garnacho raised his middle finger while collecting his medal and leaving the pitch with teammates. Later, Amad ignored fans calling his name outside the W Hotel and directly showed them his middle finger.
Numerous netizens condemned their behavior on social media. Some tagged Manchester United’s official accounts demanding explanations.
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Others suggested this might be a popular gesture within the squad, but argued that as internationally recognized players, such public displays were inappropriate.
United’s Declining Appeal Affects Ticket Sales
Manchester United departed Kuala Lumpur for Hong Kong on Thursday, preparing for their final post-season friendly against a Hong Kong XI on Friday (30 May).
Their declining form has affected their global appeal significantly. The BBC reported that Hong Kong Stadium, which holds 40,000 spectators, still had 10,000 unsold tickets for the match.
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